Integrity

Using "Just Lather, That's All" as your starting point, how did you define the Golden Mean of Integrity? What words did you use to explain an excess or deficiency of Integrity?

Where do you think the Barber fits in your Integrity definition (golden mean, excess, deficiency)? Provide at least two direct quotations to support your answer.

Where do you think Captain Torres fits in your Integrity definition (golden mean, excess, deficiency)? Provide at least one direct quotation to support your answer.

Follow the MLA format for using quotations when answering.

Include an image that supports your thinking.

The Golden Mean

Using the discussion from class, the handout you received, and your understanding as shown through "Appointment with Love," define The Golden Mean as it pertains to character virtue.

Once you have a clear definition (in your own words) provide three examples of characters from any media source (eg. book, movie, tv show, video game, celebrity etc.) that presents a deficiency in loyalty, an excess of loyalty, and the golden mean of loyalty. Use the media tools (pictures, video etc) to support your examples.

Identify and Sort

First, make sure you are done your first post. If you are not - go back to the instructions and finish it. These can be found in the blog archive.

This week, begin your post by identifying the book or books you would like to address for today's post. Use the MLA format to create a properly formatted MLA citation. You may also choose to include an image of the book cover to add further visual interest to your blog (use the 'add image' icon found on the tool bar at the top of your 'new post' page).

Today you will be identifying and sorting.

1. First, identify five main elements of your novel. Use your note "Elements of the Short Story" as a reference. (NOTE: Because this hand out is talking about good fiction - we can transfer our understanding from short fiction to longer pieces.)

2. Then, sort these elements according to importance for your engagement in your reading. Put the most important element to you at the beginning of your sorting list.

3. Once you have identified the most important element for your enjoyment,describe how this element has been used (or is lacking) in your novel. 

4. Use a direct quotation from a section of your book as evidence. Be sure to include a properly formatted MLA style citation following your direct quotation. Do not leave the quotation standing on its own - make sure that you explain its significance to the element you have selected as your top engagement feature.

MLA STYLE CITATION: (Author page)

a sample student entry of the third and fourth activity for this week is below:

Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011. Print. 

Imagery

This element is used quite often in my book. In my previous post, I had a quote where I think Imagery was used best to describe a hollow which is a flesh-eating soulless creature. I think Imagery is the most important because it projects an vivid impression of what is being described. It helps the reader to really imagine themselves in the scene with the characters.

"A vast, lunar bog stretched away into the mist from either side of the path, just brown grass and tea-colored water as fat as I could see, featureless but for the occasional mount of piled-up stones. It ended abruptly at a forest of skeletal trees, branches spindling up like the tips of wet paintbrushes, and for a while the path became so lost beneath fallen trunks and carpets of ivy that navigating it was a matter of faith." (Riggs  78)

Even if I didn't want to imagine this bog, I couldn't help it after reading this excerpt. This is one of the less gag-inducing parts that I could have chosen. But it's true, sometimes you are happy to imagine a place of beauty and peace. But you might be forced to imagine a dreary bog, or a spine tingling creature. That's the best part about imagery, it's like real life because you can't choose what you want to see or however long that image lasts in your mind.

First Post!

The purpose of your first blog post is to introduce yourself to your readers, mainly your teacher and your classmates. As this is a literary blog, introducing yourself as a reader would be most appropriate. Your first blog post should include the following items;

1. What kind of literature do you prefer to read? This could include specific authors, genres, fiction, non-fiction or even what websites you read.

2. What are the last two books that you have read? Provide a brief (2-3 sentences) description of the books and whether you enjoyed them or not. Explain your opinion of the books.

3. To date, what has been your favourite book you have ever read? Why?

Once you have finished your post, email Mr. Connolly your blog address at philconn@fc.amdsb.ca. Be sure to include your name in the email.

With whatever time is remaining, begin customizing the look of your blog. Don't forget, this is a literary blog, so make appropriate choices.